What in your opinions are good first/beginner cars for younger people and how much horsepower/torque is too much for someone younger to handle? How many, if any older cars would you recommend for teens to get if thats what they were into?

I myself love older cars and am planning on having a pre-1975 car as my first car cause thats what i've always wanted. I have many different ones i'd take so i cant really say much of it but i was wondering what you guys (and girls) think are too 'powerful' for younger people (i like mostly MOPAR). Would a Charger be considered too big for a beginner?

I'd love to hear any and all of your opinions on cars for teens (old AND new). Thanx.

Teens shouldnt really get a car with 300 HP or over for their first car unless they have been tought how to handle a car with that much power. I, myself got a 1977 Ford Maverick V6 for my first car, I already knew how to handle a car with more than 300hp and quickly converted it to a 289 V8 and built it up.

Unless you know how to handle a car with 300HP or more, I would suggest you getting a car with 250hp or lower. Something like a Dodge Dart with a slant six engine. They last forever and are a good beginner car. Maybe a car with a smaller V8 like a Mustang with a 289 V8.

Of course, you've really got to think about the pound to horsepower ratio too. A 4000 lb car with a 250 hp engine wouldn't be that difficult to handle, but a 2500 lb car with same engine would be significantly more difficult. So there's no real threshold for saying "this is too much". It all depends on the drivetrain and weight that goes with it.

I Think a really good first car would be something like the Scion TC. I know, I alwasy bashed the TC for Being underpowered, sloppy and what not, but that is from the point of view of somebody who wants pure performance.

In all actuality the TC is an example of a great first car, a little fast, gets good gas mileage, acttractive. Its perfect for a teeenager.

I would recommend that if you are going to get a fast powerful car, go to Skip/Barber driving school, also for a car why not a Factory Five, Cobra replica. They give you the parts, and you assemble them, they go for about 20 Grand, or so I understood.

You are pretty close to where i live but i have never heard of Skip/Barber driving school? I like the Cobra replicas but its a little expensive. I dont really have money to buy a car yet, i'm just wanting to know what is good and what isn't for teen drivers. I'm more into the older cars and would love to have a fast car also but the power isnt needed so i can do without. I am hoping to buy a project car (pre-1975) sometime this summer and work on it with my dad. The older Darts (was mentioned before) are pretty cool and i do like them but i'd rather even a small block V8 over a 6 cylinder.

I think it is just Skip Barber Racing School (no /), here is their site: http://www.skipbarber.com/. They seem to be at every major racing circuit. Daytona, Lime Rock, Laguna Seca, Sebring, Road America, etc. This looks like what you would want: http://www.skipbarber.com/drivingsch...fault.asp?sel=. It is a good idea to give the new driver education, but I think that the only way to really learn is by doing so on city streets. (The Skip Barber School sounds cool though)

Nothing more than 180 horsepower and good safety ratings while making it cheap because they will find a way to wreak it. My choice would be an integra, 240sx, altima, golf, jetta, sentra, and stuff around those lines

I think it is just Skip Barber Racing School (no /), here is their site: http://www.skipbarber.com/. They seem to be at every major racing circuit. Daytona, Lime Rock, Laguna Seca, Sebring, Road America, etc. This looks like what you would want: http://www.skipbarber.com/drivingsch...fault.asp?sel=. It is a good idea to give the new driver education, but I think that the only way to really learn is by doing so on city streets. (The Skip Barber School sounds cool though)

Ya, those courses do sound pretty cool, especially the driving of a Viper but its a little costly and its only in the States is it not? I know i already want to try and do anything possible to make my insurance lower (ie. taking drivers ed 'Young Drivers' or something like that, and w/e other little things to help lower it a bit).

Nothing more than 180 horsepower and good safety ratings while making it cheap because they will find a way to wreak it. My choice would be an integra, 240sx, altima, golf, jetta, sentra, and stuff around those lines

I do like most of the cars you mentioned. And i am with you about the wrecking part, most teens do get in accidents, even if they are only minor. I cant say it'll never happen to me cause you never know. Also, dont most older American V8's have more then 180hp? If i'm getting a newer car its not gonna be domestic, i know that much cause i dont really like any/many of the newer domestics (ie. 1980 and up).

Haha, i'll be sure to look for the happy instrutors who look like they enjoy their job lol. Also i'll practice parallel parking before i actually go (seems kinda easy depending on the vehicle).

oh,I just fully read your first question. I would not get an american v-8 because of these gas prices but the Charger is kind of powerful so I woudn't get one. Plus they have horrible safety ratings and insurance would be
I would stick to import

I know with the gas prices i'd be sorry but i've always wanted an older American car lol. I am willing to deal with the gas prices, for awhile anyways. And maybe get a second car (although insurance on TWO cars would also kill me). Either way insurance AND gas prices are gonna be high. I want an older car so i can also have something to do and work on.